Port Darwin
{{Short description|Port of Darwin, Australia}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox port
| name = Port Darwin
| image = Darwins East Arm Port August 2007 (4424985900).jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = East Arm Port facilities
| pushpin_map = Australia
| country = Australia
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| location = Darwin, Northern Territory
| coordinates = {{coordinates|-12.4708|130.8483}}
| locode =
| opened =
| operated = Darwin Port Operations
| owner =
| type = Coastal natural
| sizewater =
| sizeland =
| size =
| berths = 5
| wharfs = 4
| piers =
| draft_depth =
| employees =
| arrivals =
| cargotonnage =
| containervolume =
| cargovalue =
| passengertraffic =
| website = https://www.darwinport.com.au/}}
Port Darwin is the port in Darwin, Northern Territory, and is the most northerly port in Australia. The port has operated in a number of locations, including Stokes Hill Wharf, Cullen Bay, and East Arm Wharf.
Since 2015, the port has been controlled by the Chinese-owned Landbridge Group, having been granted a 99-year lease by the federal and territory governments. The transaction has since ignited significant national security concerns and political controversy, with considerable bipartisan appetite to return the port to Australian ownership.{{cite news |last1=Westcott |first1=Ben |title=Australia Seeks Port of Darwin Buy-Back From Chinese Firm, PM Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-04/australia-seeks-port-of-darwin-buy-back-from-chinese-firm-pm-says |access-date=6 April 2025 |agency=Bloomberg |date=4 April 2025}}
Locations
Stokes Hill Wharf operated as the main location of Port Darwin, and has had three wharves.
East Arm Wharf opened in 2000. Panamax sized ships of a maximum length of 274 metres and a DWT of up to 80,000 tonnes are able to use the location.[http://www.darwinport.nt.gov.au/port-trade-development/east-arm-wharf Darwin Port Corporation > East Arm Wharf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015215913/http://www.darwinport.nt.gov.au/port-trade-development/east-arm-wharf |date=15 October 2015 }}. Darwinport.nt.gov.au.
Privatisation
Following the 2012 election of the Country Liberal party, the Territory sought to raise funds for unspecified purposes through the sale of public assets, including the Territory Insurance Office and Darwin Port.{{cite web |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |title=NT government assets privatised without knowing where proceeds will go |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/dec/16/nt-government-assets-privatised-without-knowing-where-proceeds-will-go |website=The Guardian|access-date=19 May 2021 |language=en |date=2015-12-16}} In order to accomplish the latter, the Territory made a request for expressions of interest in late 2014 and early 2015, resulting in thirty-three companies signalling their interest.{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Christopher |title='A seriously dumb idea': Why did the NT lease Darwin's port to China? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-12/why-did-northern-territory-sell-darwin-port-to-china-what-risk/10755720 |website=ABC News|access-date=19 May 2021 |language=en-AU |date=2019-03-11}}{{Cite news |date=2025-04-04 |title=Labor and Coalition pledge to return Port of Darwin to Australian hands |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-04/albanese-vows-to-return-port-of-darwin-to-australia-election/105140260 |access-date=2025-04-04 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=6 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406073316/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-04/albanese-vows-to-return-port-of-darwin-to-australia-election/105140260 |url-status=live }}
In October 2015, the Chinese-owned Landbridge Group won the bid for a lease of Port Darwin.{{cite news |title=Landbridge to operate Darwin port under $506m 99-year lease deal |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-13/chinese-company-landbridge-wins-99-year-darwin-port-lease/6850870 |access-date=6 April 2025 |work=ABC News |date=13 October 2015 |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404110950/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-13/chinese-company-landbridge-wins-99-year-darwin-port-lease/6850870 |url-status=live }} The then Country Liberal-controlled Northern Territory Government under then Chief Minister Adam Giles granted the company a 99-year lease for $506 million.{{cite news|title=Robb joins Chinese company with control of Darwin Port|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-30/andrew-robb-joins-chinese-company-with-control-of-darwin-port/7978648|accessdate=26 June 2017|work=ABC News|date=30 October 2016|language=en-AU|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106214120/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-30/andrew-robb-joins-chinese-company-with-control-of-darwin-port/7978648|archive-date=6 November 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/06/coalition-defends-andrew-robb-after-revelation-he-started-job-while-an-mp|title=Coalition defends Andrew Robb after revelation he started job while an MP|author=Chan, Gabrielle Chan|work=The Guardian|date=6 June 2017|accessdate=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624004125/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/06/coalition-defends-andrew-robb-after-revelation-he-started-job-while-an-mp|archive-date=24 June 2017|url-status=live}} The contract price was more than 25 times the profit the port had earned over the preceding two years, and Landbridge also promised to invest $200 million over a 25-year period.{{Cite web|url=https://japan-forward.com/concerns-raised-as-australian-port-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-chinese-investment/|title=Concerns Raised As Australian Port Rolls Out Red Carpet for Chinese Investment|last=Tanaka|first=Yasuto|date=2019-02-02|website=Japan Forward|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607202758/https://japan-forward.com/concerns-raised-as-australian-port-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-chinese-investment/|archive-date=7 June 2019|url-status=live}} Shandong Landbridge Group is a privately held company with headquarters in the city of Rizhao, Shandong Province, China, which is owned by Ye Cheng, a billionaire with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/world/chinas-invisible-billionaire--the-port-of-darwins-new-owner-20151122-gl4rtn|title=China's 'invisible billionaire' – the Port of Darwin's new owner|date=2015-11-22|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607142555/https://www.afr.com/news/world/chinas-invisible-billionaire--the-port-of-darwins-new-owner-20151122-gl4rtn|archive-date=7 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/news/politics/asio-warned-politicians-about-taking-cash-from-huang-xiangmo-chau-chak-wing-20170605-gwktc9|title=ASIO warned politicians about taking cash from Huang Xiangmo, Chau Chak Wing|date=2017-06-05|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en|access-date=2019-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411003416/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/asio-warned-politicians-about-taking-cash-from-huang-xiangmo-chau-chak-wing-20170605-gwktc9|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}
The details of the unsuccessful bids were not disclosed, with the government citing commercial-in-confidence reasons, but sources conflicted over the nature of these bids. Some sources stated that the bid from the Landbridge Group was the highest by a significant margin, while others stated that two bids, one from a European company and another from an Australian company, were comparable. It was hoped that Landbridge's bid would result in new trade routes opening up for the Territory's cattle, mining, and gas industries.{{cite news |last=Gibson |first=Jano |date=7 May 2022 |title=Why did the Northern Territory lease Darwin Port to Chinese-owned company Landbridge? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-07/darwin-port-lease-china/101040810 |work=ABC News |access-date=20 October 2023 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020180619/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-07/darwin-port-lease-china/101040810 |url-status=live }}
=Security concerns=
Concerns have been expressed over this leasing arrangement due its strategic significance as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-15/adf-concerned-over-darwin-port-sale-to-chinese-owned-company/6855182|title=Senior Defence official raises security concerns over Darwin port lease to Chinese-owned company Landbridge|author=Uhlmann, Chris|date=15 October 2015|work=ABC News|accessdate=26 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106225740/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-15/adf-concerned-over-darwin-port-sale-to-chinese-owned-company/6855182|archive-date=6 November 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/andrew-robbs-secret-china-contract-money-for-nothing-20171205-gzzaq5.html |title=Andrew Robb's secret China contract: money for nothing |date=6 December 2017 |access-date=5 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205225405/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/andrew-robbs-secret-china-contract-money-for-nothing-20171205-gzzaq5.html |archive-date=5 December 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/darwin-ports-sale-is-a-blueprint-for-chinas-future-economic-expansion-108254|title=Darwin port's sale is a blueprint for China's future economic expansion|last=Garrick|first=John|date=December 6, 2018|website=The Conversation|language=en|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607141848/http://theconversation.com/darwin-ports-sale-is-a-blueprint-for-chinas-future-economic-expansion-108254|archive-date=7 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-19/can-darwin-port-99-year-lease-china-be-reversed-andrew-robb-role/10912478|title=Can the Darwin Port's 99-year lease to China be reversed?|date=2019-03-19|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613060454/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-19/can-darwin-port-99-year-lease-china-be-reversed-andrew-robb-role/10912478|archive-date=13 June 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/dec/18/how-the-sale-of-darwin-port-to-the-chinese-sparked-a-geopolitical-brawl|title=How the sale of Darwin port to the Chinese sparked a geopolitical brawl|last1=Smee|first1=Ben|date=2016-12-17|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-06-07|last2=Walsh|first2=Christopher A.|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607143136/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/dec/18/how-the-sale-of-darwin-port-to-the-chinese-sparked-a-geopolitical-brawl|archive-date=7 June 2019|url-status=live}} Concerns have also been expressed over the proximity of the port to a base where United States Marines are stationed on a rotational basis and to the Darwin International Airport, which is used jointly for military and civilian purposes.{{Cite news |last=Cherney |first=Mike |date=2022-09-21 |title=Chinese Port Lease Near U.S. Troops' Australian Training Ground Draws Fresh Scrutiny |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-port-lease-near-u-s-troops-australian-training-ground-draws-fresh-scrutiny-11663761602 |access-date=2022-09-22 |issn=0099-9660}}
In June 2019, development of a port at Glyde Point, {{convert|40|km}} north of Port Darwin, to be utilised by both military and commercial interests, was suggested as a 'counterbalance' by Federal Liberal Party MP and chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Andrew Hastie.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-24/new-darwin-port-could-counterbalance-landbridge-mp-hastie-says/11241820|title=New Darwin port would 'counterbalance' 99-year Chinese company lease: Liberal MP|last=Gibson|first=Jano|date=2019-06-24|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701180117/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-24/new-darwin-port-could-counterbalance-landbridge-mp-hastie-says/11241820|archive-date=1 July 2019|url-status=live}}
In August 2019, a proposal was launched by Federal Labor MP Nick Champion to re-nationalise the port, thereby ending Chinese control.{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-05/push-to-nationalise-darwin-port/11382422 |title=Push for Darwin Port to be nationalised to end Chinese ownership of strategic northern asset |newspaper=ABC News |date=4 August 2019 |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805025206/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-05/push-to-nationalise-darwin-port/11382422 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |url-status=live }}
A 2021 review of the leasing arrangements found there were no national security grounds to overturn the lease. In October 2023, the federal government announced it would not cancel Landbridge's lease after another review.{{cite news |last=Dziedzic |first=Stephen |date=20 October 2023 |title=Federal government will not cancel Chinese company Landbridge's Port of Darwin lease |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-20/port-of-darwin-chinese-company-lease-not-cancelled/103003452 |work=ABC News |access-date=20 October 2023 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020045256/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-20/port-of-darwin-chinese-company-lease-not-cancelled/103003452 |url-status=live }} The announcement brought to an end to an eight-year saga regarding Chinese control of the port.
During the 2025 Australian federal election campaign, both the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party pledged to return the port to Australian ownership if elected.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-04 |first=Alison |last=Xiao |title=Coalition and Labor pledge to retake control of Chinese-controlled Port of Darwin |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-04/albanese-vows-to-return-port-of-darwin-to-australia-election/105140260 |access-date=2025-04-05 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU |archive-date=6 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250406073316/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-04/albanese-vows-to-return-port-of-darwin-to-australia-election/105140260 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Belot |first=Henry |date=2025-04-05 |title=Port of Darwin operator says Albanese and Dutton are treating it like 'a political football' in election |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/05/australian-election-2025-port-of-darwin-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-coalition |access-date=2025-04-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The PRC's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, criticised the plan.{{Cite news |last=Needham |first=Kirsty |date=May 26, 2025 |title=Chinese ambassador criticises plan to return Darwin Port to Australian ownership |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-ambassador-criticises-plan-return-darwin-port-australian-ownership-2025-05-26/ |location=Sydney |editor-first1=Nia |editor-last1=Williams |editor-last2=Perry |editor-first2=Michael |access-date=May 26, 2025 |work=Reuters}} Landbridge applauded the ambassador's comments.
See also
{{Portal|Australia}}
- List of ports in Australia
- Port of Newcastle, another port with a 99-year lease with a Chinese control.
- Naval Base Darwin
References
{{reflist}}
{{Australian cruise terminals}}
{{coord|12|28|15|S|130|50|54|E|display=title}}
Category:Darwin, Northern Territory
Category:Ports and harbours of the Northern Territory
Category:Ports and harbours of the Indian Ocean